the premise that viewers watching a show in the middle of the night would not appreciate raucous rock and roll or funk performances at a time most people were trying to sleep, and tended to favor musicians with a lighter or more traditional sound.

His preference for access to Hollywood stars caused the show's move to the West Coast on May 1, 1972. However, the show would continue to have episodes taped in New York until 1973 when production moved to Hollywood permanently. The Tonight